The Price of Fear: Understanding the Costs of Haunted Attractions

Why Entering This Haunted House Costs $45 (or $65 for the ‘R.I.P.’ Line)

It’s not as if Blood Manor can simply convert into an office space once Halloween is over. The challenge lies in subleasing the property, which has been home to the haunted house since 2018. Few potential tenants are interested in a venue that features an indoor graveyard or a sinister morgue, both of which would be prohibitively expensive to dismantle and reconstruct. As a result, Mr. Lorenzo finds himself tied to this location throughout the year.

“The only thing we do the rest of the year is spend money,” he lamented, highlighting the financial strain on his business.

In an effort to maximize the use of their unique space, Blood Manor organizes a variety of pop-up horror events throughout the year. These include themed celebrations like My Bloody Valentine in February and a Krampus-inspired Christmas event in December. However, Mr. Lorenzo admits that these seasonal attractions do not generate enough revenue to cover all expenses.

As Halloween approaches, the haunted house has made some adjustments to its operations. This year, they have reduced the number of performances from five to four hours each night in an attempt to cut costs while still providing a thrilling experience for visitors.

Despite these challenges, ticket sales for haunted attractions have rebounded strongly nationwide since the peak of the coronavirus pandemic. Industry experts attribute this resurgence to a growing desire among people for escapism and the thrill of experiencing fear in a controlled environment.